The 2010–11 season was Reading's third season back in the Championship, since relegation from the Premier League in 2008. Having become Reading manager in January 2010, this was Brian McDermott's first full season in charge at the club. Season review See also 2010–11 Football League Championship Pre-season Summer transfers Left-back Marcus Williams joined Reading on a free transfer on 11 May 2010, having played seven seasons for Scunthorpe United. Right-back Andy Griffin signed for the club for a nominal fee on 1 July, having made 25 league appearances for Reading, on loan from Stoke City in the 2009–10 season. The transfer deadline day saw the arrival of Zurab Khizanishvili on loan from Blackburn Rovers and Ian Harte from Carlisle United. Marek Matějovský joined Sparta Prague for a fee of £650,000 on 11 June 2010, having made 56 appearances for the Royals in two-and-a-half years at the club. Kalifa Cissé left the club after three years, signed by former Reading manager Steve Coppell for Bristol City on 9 July 2010. Cissé made 83 appearances for Reading, scoring seven goals. The transfer window also saw the departure of Gylfi Sigurðsson to German Bundesliga club 1899 Hoffenheim for £7 million. Friendlies Reading opened their pre-season campaign with a 1–0 victory over Farnborough, Noel Hunt scoring the winning goal. The Royals then departed on tour to Slovenia, where they enjoyed a 3–1 victory over a Red Star Belgrade B-side, a game in which Marcus Williams made his first appearance for the club. Alex Pearce headed a first-half response for Reading, after Belgrade had taken the lead, and Simon Church sealed the victory with two second-half goals. A third consecutive win followed, as Reading defeated top-flight Croatian side Inter Zaprešić 2–0, with goals from Matt Mills and James Henry. Reading then suffered their first loss of the pre-season campaign, in the final game of the tour, with a 1–0 defeat against NK Celje, striker Gorazd Zajc scored the only goal in the game. Returning to England, Reading got back to winning ways, coming from behind to beat Wycombe Wanderers 2–1, thanks to goals from Gylfi Sigurðsson, from the penalty spot, and Hal Robson-Kanu. Another 2–1 victory followed in the Royals penultimate pre-season friendly, as another Sigurðsson penalty, and a second half goal from Michail Antonio saw Reading past Wolverhampton Wanderers. Reading's final game of pre-season was a 4–2 victory at Southampton, courtesy of goals from